Review: Circus Easter Sunday

The much anticipated Circus returned to Camp and Furnace in Liverpool on Easter Sunday. The event was something the city had been looking forward to for what seemed to be a lifetime, making the adoring fans reminisce about previous events. The Camp was the perfect venue to encase what felt like a festival line up, all set to compliment the Bank Holiday gathering.

Entering the site witnessed main man Yousef warming up the crowd like no other. As party goers were settling into the space of the ‘Furnace’, it was building up with additional fans in no time at all. The House tunes were relaxed listening and most definitely setting an ideal atmosphere for the rest of the evening. The soundtrack included local girl Laura J McKenna’s ‘Float Away’ and delivered a friendly, contented vibe to all those involved.

The ‘Blade Factory’ was filling up and literally felt electric as Scott Lewis was heating things up for The Martinez Brothers. The pair are two guys who know how to create an amazing ambiance with substance in their music as well as the show that they provided. Interacting with the crowd and shaking a couple of their own dance moves off is standard for them. The boys ultimately created an entertaining, ambitious and energetic set that not only dusted off many tunes but also had the ‘Blade Factory’ wanting more after their two hour arrangement., particularly in light of a jaw-dropping ending gambit.

Coming to a close, The Martinez Brothers played out their favourable, recognisable track ‘H 2 Da Izzo’. The crowd went wild and this brought their mix to a fantastic close for their adoring supporters! Following on from them was Bicep and Maya Jane Coles who kept the ‘Blade Factory’ ticking over swimmingly with the house music that was on offer. The room was swarming with talent on Easter Sunday, so it was proven difficult when deciding which artist to take on next.

Back to the Furnace where Steve Lawler took over from Yousef, the space was bouncing at this point and everyone had a euphoric mind set from his performance. Being in awe of him as he played out awesome tunes, the people dropped to the floor when he played his track ‘Avaida’. This was something said to be an emotional and memorable experience for him personally, as he relayed afterwards on his Facebook page:

“When I played my new single "Avaida" named after my (still coming daughter) which means this would have been my last track played before I am a father. The whole room did a sit down in the organ break… my heart was going to explode.” The people of Circus were to thank for that highlight of the evening not only for Mr Lawler but also for the devotee’s who showed him HUGE love that night.

Hitting up the closing set was no other than Maceo Plex. Crosstown Rebels signed, Plex went full steam ahead and everyone endured brisk and impressive moments for the finale. This was a truly exciting evening of top level DJ’s, wicked party people alike and the unique Liverpool venue. Playing until 4am witnessed Maceo Plex bring his dark and deep tunes to the table and could only be described as having that WOW factor throughout, and easily the most memorable set of the evening.

Skiddle spent the final moments in the ‘Camp’, playing host to the fresh faced new breed of Circus recordings producers, Makes No Sense, Acid Mondays and David Glass. Playing 2am-4am, Glass had his Liverpool posse behind him 100% and was a supreme climax when the ‘Night Train’ roared from the speakers, a set highlight that more than made up for missing Maceo Plex’s histrionics in the dying embers of the evening.. The table dancing got into full swing, before everyone made it over to the Picket for the after party. Things get a little hazy form there...

To catch Yousef's upcoming gigs click here